hot dogs with buns, vegetarian chili, cheese, pickles, salad.
no placemats, no china.
Sometimes being together is beautiful enough.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
yay lucky me!
I won a handful of consulting hours from Karman Ng of Cantilever Design at the school fundraising auction.
Which is good, because I love, love, love my house, but I am stuck, stuck, stuck, about how to bring it up to speed.
Which is good, because I love, love, love my house, but I am stuck, stuck, stuck, about how to bring it up to speed.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Beautiful Sabbath Meal
I used to be such a great mother. I made hot breakfast every school morning, often whole-pancakes. And, the meal included getting a serving a fruit into each child before they left the house.
Then, the advent of the second teenager. I was told by all parties I was not leaving enough room for her independence. So, now that teen, and all the others, serve themselves cold cereal, no fruit, and I stay out of it.
And now making a hot breakfast seems like unwanted extra work on a school morning. Because it doesn't have the benefit of routine.
For 2010, we're on the afternoon church schedule. The last time we were on it, I for the most part stopped making lovely sabbath meals. So, my once-a-week china has been living in the cupboard for a long time.
The children don't even remember Sunday meals anymore.
So, Saturday I actually made preparations. I thought of a meal that would please everyone (spaghetti with meat on the side, salad, rolls, grapes.) Warned RoutineGirl that something different would happen and got her preapproval on the food. Bought the food.
But, Forgot to either clean up the Saturday night kitchen, or make a kid do it.
So, where I needed to have the meal on the table at 11, I was instead trying to clean up the ubermess the kids made while I was out Saturday night. And, KoolAidGirl wouldn't clean up her mess unless I left the kitchen, because she's "claustrophobic." So the kitchen wasn't usable until nearly noon, and dinner didn't get on the table until 12:15. When RoutineGirl said she couldn't stay to eat with us, because she would be walking to church with her friend.
But at least RoutineGirl noticed how pretty the table was and seemed to have some regret. She said she's come back after church and eat grapes and salad.
So, we shoveled down our food, frantically changed into church clothes (which couldn't be worn near spaghetti sauce,) I had to take some time to box up and refrigerate the perishable leftovers.
We got to church ten minutes late.
And saw it was Fast Sunday.
y'know, it's okay. i'm that much closer to having it work next time.
Then, the advent of the second teenager. I was told by all parties I was not leaving enough room for her independence. So, now that teen, and all the others, serve themselves cold cereal, no fruit, and I stay out of it.
And now making a hot breakfast seems like unwanted extra work on a school morning. Because it doesn't have the benefit of routine.
For 2010, we're on the afternoon church schedule. The last time we were on it, I for the most part stopped making lovely sabbath meals. So, my once-a-week china has been living in the cupboard for a long time.
The children don't even remember Sunday meals anymore.
So, Saturday I actually made preparations. I thought of a meal that would please everyone (spaghetti with meat on the side, salad, rolls, grapes.) Warned RoutineGirl that something different would happen and got her preapproval on the food. Bought the food.
But, Forgot to either clean up the Saturday night kitchen, or make a kid do it.
So, where I needed to have the meal on the table at 11, I was instead trying to clean up the ubermess the kids made while I was out Saturday night. And, KoolAidGirl wouldn't clean up her mess unless I left the kitchen, because she's "claustrophobic." So the kitchen wasn't usable until nearly noon, and dinner didn't get on the table until 12:15. When RoutineGirl said she couldn't stay to eat with us, because she would be walking to church with her friend.
But at least RoutineGirl noticed how pretty the table was and seemed to have some regret. She said she's come back after church and eat grapes and salad.
So, we shoveled down our food, frantically changed into church clothes (which couldn't be worn near spaghetti sauce,) I had to take some time to box up and refrigerate the perishable leftovers.
We got to church ten minutes late.
And saw it was Fast Sunday.
y'know, it's okay. i'm that much closer to having it work next time.
Progressive Lens
I have my new prescription but I haven't filled it yet. My optician said the new glasses need to be at least 27 mm high, and my current glasses, which I love, are only 23mm.
He helped me pick out a flattering and inoffensive new frame. And I didn't order them. So boring. So old. Needing the modern equivalent of bifocals has me feeling SO OLD. and not in a good way.
I think I'm going to be disloyal and try a different optician today.
He helped me pick out a flattering and inoffensive new frame. And I didn't order them. So boring. So old. Needing the modern equivalent of bifocals has me feeling SO OLD. and not in a good way.
I think I'm going to be disloyal and try a different optician today.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Vegan Supper/Violin-electronica concert
Tonight was the long-planned concert/dinner date. At the venue a five-course vegan dinner is served. A concert is given before the last course (dessert).
Full house; 20. Even mix of men and women.
Really fabulous food. Music incredible, violinist extremely talented and skilled, use of computers, looping, gesture glove intelligent and not gimmick. My amusical opinion seconded by my musical husband.
And of course, what I really care about. What were they wearing. The violinist was dressed for recital, conservative with enough bling for a soloist. The food people were extremely casual, looking like t-shirt vegans. The crowd was another San Francisco mix of dark neutrals, not dressy, but much more than casual.
I was overshot again. Silk dress in ivory/green/gray, strappy sandals, pearl earrings. However, we were seated in the corner, and since we were late we were out of the eddy of conversation. DH got up and circulated before we left.
I think I keep overshooting in an effort to show respect for the music, especially since I don't get the music as much as I suspect it deserves.
The performer came over and talked to us, and I really enjoyed meeting her and talking to her. But beyond the fact she was intelligent and fascinating, I may have already felt her an ally, since she and I were the only two in the room wearing anything shiny. She had read about me on my husband's FB page, which was oddly flattering.
Full house; 20. Even mix of men and women.
Really fabulous food. Music incredible, violinist extremely talented and skilled, use of computers, looping, gesture glove intelligent and not gimmick. My amusical opinion seconded by my musical husband.
And of course, what I really care about. What were they wearing. The violinist was dressed for recital, conservative with enough bling for a soloist. The food people were extremely casual, looking like t-shirt vegans. The crowd was another San Francisco mix of dark neutrals, not dressy, but much more than casual.
I was overshot again. Silk dress in ivory/green/gray, strappy sandals, pearl earrings. However, we were seated in the corner, and since we were late we were out of the eddy of conversation. DH got up and circulated before we left.
I think I keep overshooting in an effort to show respect for the music, especially since I don't get the music as much as I suspect it deserves.
The performer came over and talked to us, and I really enjoyed meeting her and talking to her. But beyond the fact she was intelligent and fascinating, I may have already felt her an ally, since she and I were the only two in the room wearing anything shiny. She had read about me on my husband's FB page, which was oddly flattering.
I Don't Tell My Child What to Believe
http://www.jrganymede.com/2009/12/31/i-dont-tell-my-child-what-to-believe/
file for future reference.
is a response to:
http://uumormon.blogspot.com/2009/10/agnostic-morality.html
has me thinking about:
1. The fact I didn't care when my preschooler went through his sun worship phase.
2. My belief that all parents do pass on their top three values, and most of their top ten, whether or not they intended. Their actual values, not their stated values. And, a value can be passed on in reaction: e.g. the mom who makes punctuality such an issue that her children spend their entire adult lives insisting on the right to be late.
3. Glenn and I have always had different approaches to church. And thank heaven, since I would have attended three times a week so I could go hiking; and would find a way to avoid all social interaction with people in the ward instead of loving them. However I have wondered what happens to kids when their parents are cheerfully, openly different in faith. Or, if they're cheerfully, privately/unstatedly different in faith. To some extent I think children will receive some idea of what parents really believe, even when the parents state otherwise.
file for future reference.
is a response to:
http://uumormon.blogspot.com/2009/10/agnostic-morality.html
has me thinking about:
1. The fact I didn't care when my preschooler went through his sun worship phase.
2. My belief that all parents do pass on their top three values, and most of their top ten, whether or not they intended. Their actual values, not their stated values. And, a value can be passed on in reaction: e.g. the mom who makes punctuality such an issue that her children spend their entire adult lives insisting on the right to be late.
3. Glenn and I have always had different approaches to church. And thank heaven, since I would have attended three times a week so I could go hiking; and would find a way to avoid all social interaction with people in the ward instead of loving them. However I have wondered what happens to kids when their parents are cheerfully, openly different in faith. Or, if they're cheerfully, privately/unstatedly different in faith. To some extent I think children will receive some idea of what parents really believe, even when the parents state otherwise.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Date Night
It's Date Night, and I haven't planned anything. My husband just called to say he was looking forward to it, and did I have any ideas of what I'd like to do?
A few years ago, we started going to the movies a lot. I think I see every movie I'm interested in before it hits video these days.
When I was young and single, I had disgust for people who went to movies on a date. If you were going to spend a couple hours with someone and get to know them, it was stupid to do so at the movies where you could hardly interact.
Today is cloudy and rainy and mostly what I want to do is climb under the covers with a good book. I've already been at a PTA meeting, then I've got to go to the doctor, then take our pet to the vet where I'll probably inquire about putting the poor thing out of its misery, then kid pickups and kid negotiation through homework and chores. At least the house is clean. But the laundry has stacked up after an all-day power outage and I don't see when I'll get to it. And tomorrow we throw a big party.
My 25-year-old self would be shocked at me. Even my 35-year-old self would be quite disappointed. Now that the kids are older I have a lot more options for a weekly date. We can travel even to the near large cities, we can stay away longer, we don't need to hire a babysitter. You'd think I'd be going to the opera, seeing plays, art galleries, and all the things I dreamed I'd do when I was an undergrad. I've never been in a batting cage--can I do that? Last night I turned down the chance to accompany my husband to some avant guard music recital, because I didn't want to deal with the fallout of what happens to unsupervised kids who want to avoid their homework.
Phooey, my job rating as a spouse right now would be very low, if anyone objective were doing the review.
A few years ago, we started going to the movies a lot. I think I see every movie I'm interested in before it hits video these days.
When I was young and single, I had disgust for people who went to movies on a date. If you were going to spend a couple hours with someone and get to know them, it was stupid to do so at the movies where you could hardly interact.
Today is cloudy and rainy and mostly what I want to do is climb under the covers with a good book. I've already been at a PTA meeting, then I've got to go to the doctor, then take our pet to the vet where I'll probably inquire about putting the poor thing out of its misery, then kid pickups and kid negotiation through homework and chores. At least the house is clean. But the laundry has stacked up after an all-day power outage and I don't see when I'll get to it. And tomorrow we throw a big party.
My 25-year-old self would be shocked at me. Even my 35-year-old self would be quite disappointed. Now that the kids are older I have a lot more options for a weekly date. We can travel even to the near large cities, we can stay away longer, we don't need to hire a babysitter. You'd think I'd be going to the opera, seeing plays, art galleries, and all the things I dreamed I'd do when I was an undergrad. I've never been in a batting cage--can I do that? Last night I turned down the chance to accompany my husband to some avant guard music recital, because I didn't want to deal with the fallout of what happens to unsupervised kids who want to avoid their homework.
Phooey, my job rating as a spouse right now would be very low, if anyone objective were doing the review.
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